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The Mayor of Walvis Bay, Cllr Johannes Shimbilinga, together with the Mayor of Swakopmund, Cllr Suama Kautondokwa, recently met with a delegation from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and MSC Cruises to advance efforts aimed at addressing youth unemployment.
The engagement forms part of an ongoing strategic partnership between NIPDB and MSC Cruises, now in its third recruitment drive, focused on creating sustainable employment pathways for young Namibians. The initiative taps into the country’s well-established Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, aligning skills development with global employment opportunities.
Cllr Shimbilinga welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation for the opportunity it presents:
“We thank the NIPDB for creating this opportunity to actively address unemployment. As Mayor, youth unemployment in Walvis Bay has been on my heart, and this partnership is a step in the right direction. It has my full support.”
MSC Cruises, a multinational company with strong African ownership dating back to the 1970s, reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive recruitment and talent development. As a multi-language cruise operator serving a diverse international clientele, the company offers year-round employment opportunities with clear pathways for career progression. Importantly, successful candidates can remain based in Namibia while working aboard vessels, providing a unique balance of international exposure and local grounding.
Cllr Suama Kautondokwa also commended the initiative, emphasising the importance of collaboration.
“We would like to address the issue of youth unemployment; however, this can only be achieved through collaboration. We thank the NIPDB for spearheading this effort and for creating meaningful opportunities for our youth.”
As part of the engagement, both Mayors visited the vessel, MSC Magnifica, gaining first-hand insight into onboard operations and the working environment. The vessel accommodates over 2,500 guests across more than 1,200 cabins, offering a full international cruise experience with a range of dining, entertainment, and wellness facilities.
Youth are encouraged to follow opportunities shared by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and MSC Cruises, as recruitment initiatives under this partnership will continue to be rolled out. Both Mayors further urged young people interested in pursuing these opportunities to proactively prepare themselves by making use of free online learning platforms to develop basic communication skills in the German language, which is a key requirement for many of the positions available.